CRUSADE No. 18 ~ Cut It Out

One thing that enables you to maintain or even establish your originality as an artist is using tools of your own making. In this instance I'm referring to tools as stamps and/or stencils. Carving a custom stamp, or cutting a custom stencil, and using these in your work, may stretch you in undiscovered ways. It's an opportunity to explore identity and individuality.

Later I will review cutting a custom stencil, but for now I'll talk about custom stamps. If you've never tried it - it's super easy. You can get everything you need at Michaels. Eraser carving block comes in both pink and white. You can get the "V" shaped carving tool, or small exacto blades are fine too. Your design can be drawn right onto the surface, or you can take a xeroxed image and transfer the toner image several ways - I use Goof-Off as it has xylene in it (similar to paint stripper). Yes, I know it's toxic and there are probably safer ways to go about it but this is what I do. Start small if you've never carved - you want to experience the thrill of success before taking on something that is intricate and labor intensive.

This shows a 12" square stamp I carved after much practive on smaller stamps. I'll tell you where I buy my carving blocks at the end of this post.

Don't know what you would design yet? Want a clever idea to start with? Why not make a shadow, or 'go-with' stamp? Have a favorite stamp image that needs a colored foundation or background to help make it pop? Try cutting your own.

And another sample, which I've shown before of the gravestones and mask:

Or maybe you want to design a signature stamp - like your initials. Keep in mind if you draw the design onto the carving material it has to be reversed. I order Safety-Kut from Nasco - they have small, medium, and huge sheets, and my favorite: classroom packs of 36 pieces, each 2" x 3", and NOW they have terrific pre-cut-circles. Go HERE. And for tools, go HERE. Need more help? There are some great tutorials online, look up eraser carving, or block printing. And there are several books on the subject - Art Stamping Workshop, by Gloria Page is one. And if you are really into it you may want to get the dvd - like a workshop from home. (They just sent me a copy - maybe I'll offer it as a give-away this month!)

Like I said, I will go over stencil cutting soon - but I hope you will try carving a stamp. And hey - making a custom stamp doesn't have to be a carving - you could even cut some fun-foam into a shape and stick on a block. Be resourceful - be original - be clever.

So let's see your custom tools - make a stamp or stencil, and show us on your blog or upload to your photo-hosting site. Putting it to use on a journal page would be even better! Once you've posted about the Crusade, come back here and leave a link to your site in the comments and I'll add you to the link list on the left. And as always - be sure to leave your comments as you visit the other Crusaders. Anyone can play, so come join us.

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CRUSADE No. 18 ~ Cut It Out

One thing that enables you to maintain or even establish your originality as an artist is using tools of your own making. In this instance I'm referring to tools as stamps and/or stencils. Carving a custom stamp, or cutting a custom stencil, and using these in your work, may stretch you in undiscovered ways. It's an opportunity to explore identity and individuality.

Later I will review cutting a custom stencil, but for now I'll talk about custom stamps. If you've never tried it - it's super easy. You can get everything you need at Michaels. Eraser carving block comes in both pink and white. You can get the "V" shaped carving tool, or small exacto blades are fine too. Your design can be drawn right onto the surface, or you can take a xeroxed image and transfer the toner image several ways - I use Goof-Off as it has xylene in it (similar to paint stripper). Yes, I know it's toxic and there are probably safer ways to go about it but this is what I do. Start small if you've never carved - you want to experience the thrill of success before taking on something that is intricate and labor intensive.

This shows a 12" square stamp I carved after much practive on smaller stamps. I'll tell you where I buy my carving blocks at the end of this post.

Don't know what you would design yet? Want a clever idea to start with? Why not make a shadow, or 'go-with' stamp? Have a favorite stamp image that needs a colored foundation or background to help make it pop? Try cutting your own.

And another sample, which I've shown before of the gravestones and mask:

Or maybe you want to design a signature stamp - like your initials. Keep in mind if you draw the design onto the carving material it has to be reversed. I order Safety-Kut from Nasco - they have small, medium, and huge sheets, and my favorite: classroom packs of 36 pieces, each 2" x 3", and NOW they have terrific pre-cut-circles. Go HERE. And for tools, go HERE. Need more help? There are some great tutorials online, look up eraser carving, or block printing. And there are several books on the subject - Art Stamping Workshop, by Gloria Page is one. And if you are really into it you may want to get the dvd - like a workshop from home. (They just sent me a copy - maybe I'll offer it as a give-away this month!)

Like I said, I will go over stencil cutting soon - but I hope you will try carving a stamp. And hey - making a custom stamp doesn't have to be a carving - you could even cut some fun-foam into a shape and stick on a block. Be resourceful - be original - be clever.

So let's see your custom tools - make a stamp or stencil, and show us on your blog or upload to your photo-hosting site. Putting it to use on a journal page would be even better! Once you've posted about the Crusade, come back here and leave a link to your site in the comments and I'll add you to the link list on the left. And as always - be sure to leave your comments as you visit the other Crusaders. Anyone can play, so come join us.